Prosecutor Lynne Warrington said: “On January 10 at around 4.30pm the injured party went to her neighbour’s address and told her neighbour Mr Powell had punched her. The neighbour saw she had swelling to the left eye.

“A police officer attended who saw the injury and Mr Powell was arrested. On the same date the injured party was visited. She confirmed she had been punched but refused to make a statement.”

Powell, who works as a warehouse operative for New Look, was interviewed and told police he hit the victim ‘without thinking’. Miss Warrington said: “He said he hadn’t planned it, it was a reaction to what she said. He did not tell officers what the comment was.”

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Powell, of Bowden Street, Burslem, pleaded guilty to assault by beating. The court heard he had four previous convictions for five offences.

David Ellis, mitigating, said: “He spent 10 years in the Army and did several tours. This lady made mention of a rather traumatic tour. She made reference to it in a derogatory comment to him and he struck out.